Tigers leave for Zimbabwe Wednesday

A 15-member Bangladesh Cricket Team, led by wicket keeper cum batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, will leave here for Zimbabwe tomorrow (Wednesday) via Dubai in a hope to win all the series.Earlier, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the 15-member Test squad recalling world-famed all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the squad for the two-match series against Zimbabwe beginning in Harare Sports Club ground on April 17.
During the month-long tour, the Bengal Tigers will also play three ODIs and two T20 Internationals in Bulawayo. Maasranga Television will telecast live all the matches of Bangladesh-Zimbabwe series from Harare and Bulawayo.
The Bengal Tigers will play the first Test against Zimbabwe on April 17-21 and the 2nd one on April 25-29, both at the Harare Sports Club ground and both the Test match will start at 2 pm (Bangladesh time).
The three-match ODI series between the two teams will be held in Bulawayo on May 3, 5 and 8 respectively. All the matches will start at 1:30 pm (Bangladesh time).
Besides, the two match T20 series between the two teams will also be held in Bulawayo on May 11 and 12 and both the matches will start at 5:30 pm (Bangladesh time).
Former Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is expected to join the Bangladesh Cricket Team during their stopover in Dubai as a spin bowling consultant for the Tour of Zimbabwe.
It will be the Mushtaq’s second assignment with the Bengal Tigers after his first assignment during the ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka and the home series against the West Indies last year.
Shakib, who missed recently concluded Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka for a stress fracture in his right shin, will be available for the first Test only as a batsman. But, he will be ready to bowl in the second Test.
In a serious crisis in pace bowling due to injury, national selectors also recalled pacer Sajidul Islam after five years replacing back injury-grabbed Abul Hasan Raju.
Dashing opener Tamim Iqbal has been retained in the Test squad despite a right thumb injury. He has an outside chance of playing in the first game but is expected to recover in time ahead of the second Test.
Top order batsman Shahriar Nafees and spinner Enamul Haque Junior have also been included in the squad after both missed the Sri Lanka tour due to injury.
There was no place for Naeem Islam, Elias Sunny and Marshall Ayub in the squad while Anamul Haque is missing the tour due to examination. Mohammad Ashraful retained his place in number 3 position for a productive tour of Sri Lanka.
Mashrafe Mortaza had sounded out his inclination to play Tests, but did not recover sufficiently from a heel contusion.
Bangladesh Test squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (c & wk), Tamim Iqbal, Jahurul Islam, Mohammad Ashraful, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Shohag Gazi, Rubel Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Enamul Haque, Robiul Islam, Sajidul Islam.
(Source: globalpost/asianet)